Life Call Commercial "I've fallen and I can't get up!"

"...I've fawlin' and I can't get up!..."
This line was spoken in a television commercial for a medical alarm and protection company called LifeCall, in ads that began running in 1987. The motivation behind these medical alarm systems is that many senior citizens today live at home alone, and may find themselves suddenly in medical danger with no one (and no phone) nearby to help them. The product addressed this concern by providing its subscribers with a small pendant, worn around the wrist or neck; when needed, the wearer presses the button on it, and he or she is immediately put into contact with a dispatcher who can send a paramedic, fireman, or other emergency assistance.

The TV advertisement featured, in part, a fictional elderly lady named "Mrs. Fletcher" who has fallen, with her walker, in the bathroom.

On its face, the commercial illustrates a serious situation for a senior with dire consequences (elderly people with no one to care for them may fall in their homes and be on the floor for hours or even days, unable to get help).

The "I've fallen and I can't get up" ad had the double misfortune of being unintentionally campy and appearing often on cable and daytime television. The combination made "I've fallen... and I can't get up!" a recognized, universal punchline that applied to many comedic situations. All of these factors made the ad memorable, ensuring the line's place in pop culture history.

• Category

  Entertainment

[epicdjs]

My center of gravity has seemed to shift in an unintended position, causing me to fall upon the ground, and I am unable to move my body back to its original position, before this event which has occurred.

[sesamestreetmosher]

"We're getting real sick of your shit Mrs. Fletcher."

[DatrollingDogtag2010]

In other words, I'm getting raped.

[Mobbin4theArt]

What Make's This Shit So Funny Is That They Wern't Trying To Be Funny.LoL.They Were Dead Serious.LMAO!!!

[mdnicethaking22]

gotta love the old stuff!!!!

[DiVaSTYLE3013]

My grannie was in a simular situtaion she ate some prunes and 6 hours later we heard a yell from the bathroom.."IM SHITTIN..AND I CANT GET UP!!!"

[SH Keat]

collectively transporting urgent assistance in post-haste madam fletcher

[LPSArtemis88888]

HELP! I'M HAVING CHEST PAIN AND I SOUND CONSTIPATED.

[LPSArtemis88888]

Who else couldn't stop cracking up? I felt so bad, but I couldn't help it!

[InAbundanceLLC]

lol  Gotta love the old funny commercials. =)

[rundini]

fuck off, you're not funny.